To Be Chosen (57 page)

Sandy-haired Simon smiled pleasantly and did not seem to notice the slight, or chose not to. “When Tim told us you were coming with a detachment of Royal Guardsmen, I,” he paused and glanced at Samuel, “we were pleased to hear you were on the way.”

Samuel motioned with his right arm and the silk sleeve fell back revealing his stump, yet he did not seem to notice. “I was both pleased and concerned at the same time. While I am happy to see you, I am also worried that you, being unable to summon potential, intend to face a person who hates you above all others.”

Daniel snorted, as if the Teki was one to talk after bringing his parents along with Tim and Gina. “Let’s go inside. You can then explain to me why you were concerned about my coming here, yet not so much for my parents and friends,” he told him and then entered the inn, yet could hear them talking behind his back.

“How did he know his parents were here?” Simon demanded of Samuel.

“Tim told us Daniel was unaware of the fact and gave me a mountain saying, something about, only a fool sticks his nose in a beehive. Besides, I brought Tim and Gina, you were the one who brought his mother and father,” the former Teki replied.

Neither Silvia nor David acknowledged Samuel as they walked in behind him and Simon. For his part, it seemed like Samuel looked passed them as if they were invisible. Daniel knew there was something peculiar going on. His pair of Teki escorts ascertained their room number and went up the stairs without saying a word. Their problem would have to be explored another time,
after he met with his parents.

Simon picked up his pace to take the lead and the sound of his boots thumping on the wood floor echoed throughout the room. They passed through the common room filled with people and continued down the hall, which was lit by oil lamps attached to the walls. He stopped at the third door on the left, not knowing his effort was unnecessary. Daniel already knew exactly where his parents and two friends were, his spell told him that. He removed the shield on his body, wanting to feel what was coming next. Simon opened the door.

The room had shelves against the far wall with a goodly number of books and three rectangular tables with six chairs at each. Two rockers were next to the window where guests could sit and read in the sunlight. Although seeing as the sun was setting, anyone wanting to read would have to light the lamp on the small table conveniently placed beside each chair. Sitting at the third table on the left were four people who practically flew out of their chairs and surrounded him. In the blink of an eye, his mother’s arms were wrapped around him tighter than a bear hug, she hardly stepped back when an instant later Gina slammed into him, and then his father and Tim, hand gripping and back slapping. Everyone was grinning, even Simon and Samuel.

“My, don’t you look striking in your uniform,” his mother commented while grabbing onto his arm and leading him toward the table.

Daniel shrugged his shoulders. “I suppose so, seeing as a number of people have struck at me since I put it on.”

Tim chuckled. “Why am I not surprised?”

“That family crest with a falcon clutching a lightning bolt is very impressive,” the master carpenter commented. Daniel knew his father would be pleased.

They all sat down at the table and Simon pulled a chair away from table two and sat at the
end. Daniel was in the middle with his parents, mother on his right and the father on his left. Tim, Gina, and Samuel sat across from them.

There was so much to ask and he truly was happy to be with them, it seemed a shame that the reason for their meeting was so grim. “I’ve missed every one of you and would really like
for us to spend more time together,” Daniel began the conversation. “We have tonight. Tomorrow, I and my company will be heading north to rescue Sherree and do whatever can be done for Jerremy.”

His father gave an affirmative nod of the head. “Agreed, I see no reason to wait longer. According to Tim, you learned Serin Gell has our friends in his lair just north of the border.”

That is where the plank got caught in the waterwheel and brought the mill to a grinding halt, as the expression goes. Daniel was afraid his parents would want to come along. “As I said, my company and I will be heading north in the morning.”

His mother smiled at him. “We heard you, dear. And as we are part of your company, we will be going with you.”

“So are we,” Gina stated firmly, in pink-dyed buckskins, with her long dark hair flowing over shoulders and down her back, she reminded him of Val.

Tim shrugged, “Don’t look at me like that. You know I’m coming.”

Daniel fixed his eyes on Samuel, who squirmed just a little bit in his chair. Why were people uncomfortable under his stare? Daniel began to wonder, having noticed it was not the first time. In this case, he wanted the person he focused on to be uncomfortable. “Why did you bring them?”

Samuel’s eyes widened, both brows twitching. He took a deep breath, calming himself and fixed a stare of his own. His glare did not make Daniel feel uncomfortable but he had to admit it was one worthy of an Aakacarn. “An old oak would be easier to budge than these two. You are welcome to try,” the Accomplished replied with a rye smile at the end.

Daniel gave up on dissuading Tim and Gina and focused on Simon, but it was his mother who spoke up. “Accomplished Trenca visited our home and told us of the grand estate given to you by the Queen.”

“And your mother insisted on us going to see the new life you have begun to carve out,” his father finished her sentence.

“But,” Daniel began with his perfectly well thought out reply.

Miriam Benhannon brushed aside a stray lock of her red-brown hair and narrowed her eyes, indicating she would brook no argument over what she was about to say. “But nothing, Simon offered to escort us to your new home and we accepted.”

Ronn Benhannon took up the tale. “While on the way, Jerremy contacted Accomplished Trenca and told him of the trouble with Serin Gell. Simon wanted to leave us in Bon. Well, we had an agreement, and as you know, a Benhannon never goes back on an agreement.”

“And so you see, we are on our way to your estate with a little side trip to Pentrosa to pick up Sherree and Jerremy,” his mother finished, making the task seem nothing extraordinary.

Simon smiled at him, almost gloated to be honest about it. “What Sam said goes for me too, good luck persuading them.”

They were all staring at Daniel with smug looks on their faces. Him, a Six-bolt Accomplished, a Royal Knight of the Realm, a Lord of the
Land, and the Chosen Vessel, they almost caused him to laugh out loud. He was able to swallow the urge to chuckle and decided to give in and move the discussion along. “When we get going, I will ask for and accept suggestions, but once a decision is made, there can be no further argument.”

They sobered up immediately, but each one seemed to have different concerns. His father looked him in the eye and replied. “You took command at the Battle of Bashierwood. I followed your lead then and will follow you now.”

His mother nodded agreement, while Gina and Tim whispered to each other until she finally nodded her willingness. Samuel raised his right arm, deliberately revealing his stump for all to see. “This is what happened the last time I encountered Serin Gell and his pair of Accomplisheds,” he said while glancing at Daniel’s parents, perhaps to see if he had their attention. “This is not a minor side trip on a larger journey. The Aakacarns we are after Condemn the people they encounter rather than kill and that is the fate of any who cross their paths. Especially you four,” Samuel’s eyes did not fall on Gina. “That’s right Daniel, you, Tim, and your parents are the absolute last people who should be on this mission. Serin Gell hates you four with a passion, and yet you all propose to ride to his Nest and do what?”

Simon leaned forward, “Sam is correct, our Guilds have given up on our friends, but he and I have not. Clearly Tim has the amulet you made back in Aakadon. While I am glad to see you, I wish your friend had not contacted you. Yes, I know you are a Royal Knight of the Realm, a Lord of the
Land, and have a detachment of Royal Guardsmen at your command. With all that, you still cannot summon potential. My friend, this truly is a matter for Aakacarns.”

Daniel had to bite his lip to keep from interrupting Simon’s speech, which would have been true if Daniel was impotent, which is why he did not take offense. His sandy-haired friend had his best interest at heart. Daniel sighed and suddenly remembered he had a debt to pay and this reminded him of the revelation given him by Ruth. Meeting Samuel would be a sign, “you must be in the north or someone close to your heart will die,” that is what she said. This meant the time to be
in the north has come or Sherree will die. She was in the north. He still did not know what he could do for Jerremy, but at least she could be saved.

Simon reached his hand
beyond Miriam, placing it on Daniel’s forearm. “I know that was difficult to hear. Believe me. I took no pleasure in saying it,” the kindhearted Aakacarn said, and then withdrew his arm.

Daniel had no idea what his face looked like at the moment but it must have reflected the sadness he felt for Jerremy and the anxiety over knowing he had little time to save Sherree. He nodded for Simon’s benefit and decided it was time to start making payments. “Samuel, not long ago I came across a Teki Seer. She gave me a revelation and now I must pay the price.”

Samuel’s eyes narrowed, his thick brows coming together, “I can’t help you with that, being no longer of the Teki.”

Daniel ignored the response. “The Seer’s name is Ruth of the Forager Troop of the Reshashinni Teki.”

Samuel began blinking rapidly, eyebrows twitching in distress. “I know of the troop, they are of no concern to me. If you owe them for a revelation, go find them and pay it. Simon and I will capture Serin Gell and rescue Sherree.”

The reaction was beyond strange and it was time to find out what was going on. “Why should I search them out when a pair of Reshashinni are traveling with me. You saw them and one just happens to be your cousin, Silvia, who has recently married David. I don’t pretend to know the customs of your people, but most folks care about their family. Do you know David is a Gerabolli? He left his tribe and joined the Reshashinni to be with her. Sam I know you are a caring person, so what is going on?”

Samuel slammed his fist down on the table. “I don’t see where my background is any of your business.”

Simon coughed, one of his unobtrusive ways of catching the attention of others. “Daniel, I can say he cares more about you than he does his family. They declared him dead and sent him back to Aakadon.”

Samuel fidgeted in his seat and glared at his fellow Aakacarn but did not dispute what was said. Daniel now understood why Silvia had told him her cousin had died. “There are two parts to the payment so listen up. Ruth spoke these words to me, Tell Samuel that I love him and he is very much alive in my heart,”

Tears filled Samuel’s eyes and he wiped them away, sniffing. He shuddered once and then had his feelings under control. “When a troop chief declares a person dead, it is forbidden to speak such words. She will be in a great deal of trouble if any Reshashinni hear of this message.”

The rest of the payment made Daniel feel a bit awkward. People have spoken about his being the Chosen Vessel and he has admitted to being such, but it was always someone else who brought up the fact, not him. Word may not have reached Tannakonna, Tim, Gina, and his parents might not have heard the rumors, and neither of his Aakacarn friends mentioned it. “There is one more thing she required me to tell you. It is a bit obscure to me why it is important that you know, but she insisted that you be told now. Even after I offered to go back to Aakadon and deliver the message right away, she insisted the payment be made at our first meeting. So yes, she knew we would be having this little get together. Anyway, this is what she said; tell him to remember the last words I spoke to him concerning his fate.” Daniel paused while looking in the eyes of his mother and father. What would they think? Gina was weepy-eyed over Ruth’s message to her grandson. Tim, bless his heart, looked ready to hear anything. “I don’t know what your fate is, but she required me to make known to you that I am the Chosen.”

Gina chuckled while wiping her eyes, “Chosen for what?”

Tim scratched his chin and sighed. “Why do I have the feeling your life is even more complicated now than when we parted ways?”

Simon scratched his head while clearly giving the message some thought. “The revelation is obscure. Sam needs to remember his fate and know you are chosen. What is his fate, unless it is to serve Aakadon, and what have you been chosen for?”

Samuel’s eyes were closed, perhaps recalling the fate his grandmother revealed to him. One thing was for sure. He was born a Teki and would know exactly what they taught about the Chosen. A twinkle of skepticism flashed in his eyes as they slowly opened. “What else happened when you met my mother’s mother?”

Why deny it? Daniel folded his hands together on the table. “She placed me in the center spiral and declared me to be the Chosen Vessel. She told us all, your entire troop, that everyone with the gift of Sight were seeing what she was seeing, the Creator’s champion standing in the center spiral, surrounded by a troop of Teki, even as the viewings for the last five hundred years have foretold. Samuel, why do you think I have a pair of Reshashinni escorts?”